Dodgers Trade Garrett Cleavinger To Tampa Bay Rays For German Tapia

The Los Angeles Dodgers got a bit of a jumpstart on MLB trade deadline activity over the weekend by acquiring Chris Martin from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Zach McKinstry.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman publicly expressed his disdain for acquiring relief pitchers at the deadline, but the move was one that seemingly proved beneficial to both clubs.

Martin gives the Dodgers some depth and insurance as they await the returns for Danny Duffy, Victor González, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have now traded Garrett Cleavinger to the Tampa Bay Rays for Minor League outfielder German Tapia.

Cleavinger appeared in just four games for the Dodgers this season, going 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA, 5.66 FIP and 2.07 WHIP. His ERA skyrocketed after allowing four earned runs (six total) to the Washington Nationals on July 26.

The Dodgers acquired Cleavinger in December 2020 as part of a three-team trade that involved the Philadelphia Phillies and Rays. The Dodgers sent Dillon Paulson and player to be named later to the Rays, who traded Jose Alvarado to the Phillies. Philadelphia only sent out Cleavinger.

Tapia hit .329/.500/.452 with three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI over 26 games for the Rays’ Dominican Summer League team. He’s in his second professional season.

Impact of Dodgers trading Cleavinger

Cleavinger was optioned one day after appearing in a game, but the trade to the Rays now frees up a spot on the 40-man roster.

That could be noteworthy with respect to potential trades the Dodgers are pursuing, or at minimum helps alleviate the forthcoming logjam when players need to be activated off the 60-day injured list.